Double break-double throw electrical switch and single break-double throw switch



Nov. 8, 1932. G. c. LAWTON 1587132;

DOUBLE BREAK DOUBLE THROW ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND SINGLE BREAK DOUBLE THROW SWITCH Filed Aug. 17, 1931 Patented Nov. 8, 1932 PATENT OFFICE GLENN C. LAWTON, OF PHOENIX, ARIZONA DOUBLE BREAK-DOUBLE THROW ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND SINGLE BREAK-DOUBLE THROW SWITCH Application filed August 17, 1931.

This invention relates to safety switches, and has for its object the production of a double break double throw side throw switch which is mounted within a casing, having a s control lever extending upon the exterior of the casing to permit an operator to conveniently and efficiently throw the switch without danger of an electrical shock.

Another object of this invention is the production of a fool proof switch wherein the operating or control lever is mounted upon the interior of the casing and is connected to the switch throwing levers by means of an insulated connection thereby preventing electrical shock to the operator.

lVith these and other objects in View, this invention consists of certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the casing showing the operating or control lever mounted thereon, a portion of the casing being broken away and shown in section;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the casing showing the switch levers in front elevation; and

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken 80 on line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4: is a front elevation showing a modified form of the invention, the operating pin being shown in section.

By referring to the drawing, it will be seen that 1 designates the insulated base upon which the switch mechanism is mounted. This base may be in the nature of a slate plate or base, but it should be understood that any suitable or desired insulating material may be employed for this purpose. A pair of copper or other conducting clips 2 are mounted near one side edge of the base 1, and aplurality of oppositely arranged conducting clips 3 are arranged near the opposite edge of the insulated base 1. Intermediate these clips 3 are also arranged a pair of inner clips 4. A twin clip 5 is arranged upon the insulated base 1, intermediate the clips 2, as shown clearly in Figure 2 of the drawing.

A pair of parallel switch levers 6 are piv- Serial No. 557,698.

otally mounted at 7 upon the base 1, as shown clearly in Figure 2 intermediate the ends of the switch levers 6, and these switch levers 6 are adapted to be alternately thrown into contact with the alternate clips arranged near the opposite side edges of the base 1, as shown clearly in Figure 2. When the levers 6 are in the position as shown in full lines in Figure 2, the upper ends of' these levers will contact with the left-hand clip 2, and the right-hand portion of the twin clip 5. The lower ends of these levers 6 will then contact with the left-hand clip 4, and the right-hand clip 3.

The switch levers 6 are connected by means of a bridging insulating strip 8 which is pivotally connected at 9 to the levers 6 thereby causing the switch levers 6 to swing simultaneously. By shifting the connecting bridge or link strip 8 to the left as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, the upper ends of the switch levers 6 will be thrown into contact with the opposite contact clips, as shown in dotted lines, and the lower ends of the switch levers 6 will be thrown into con tact with the opposite contact clips 3 and 4, also as indicated in dot-ted lines in Figure 2.

An operating or control lever 10 is pivotally mounted at 11 upon the outer face of the housing 12, which housing fits over the insulated strip or plate 1 and supports the operating or control lever 10 in spaced relation with respect to the insulated strip or plate 1. A suitable knob 13 is carried by the operating or control lever 10 and this control 85 lever 10 is connected to the bridge strip 8 by means of a pin 14, which pin 14 works through the arc slot 15 formed in the outer face of the housing 12.

The outer housing 12 has printed thereon upon the outer face and at its center the word Off, and to the left of the center the words On Left, and to the right of the center the words On Right. In this way, the operator can readily determine the proper position of the switch levers 6 within the housmg.

As shown in Figure 4, a modified form of the invention is illustrated wherein a base plate 16 is employed, having a plurality of 100 pivot clips 17 securedlto the plate 16 for the purpose of pivotally supporting parallel I switch levers 18. Clips 19, 20, 21 and 22 are mounted upon the base and are adapted to be engaged by the free ends of the switch levers 18. The switch levers 18 are connected by means of a bridging strip 19, and a suit-: able operating or control lever may be se -V cured to the bridge strip 19 by means of a suitable pin 23.

When the contact or switch levers 18 are in the position shown in full lines in Figure 4, the free ends of these levers 18 will be brought into contact with the clips 19 21. When these levers 18 are reversed to the position shown in dotted lines, the free ends" of' the switch arms or levers 18 will contact with the respective strips 20 and 22.

It should be understood that the various clips areproperly connected to wire outlets as is usual with such switches, but the present invention relates particularlyto the construction of the switch and the mounting thereof within the housing, these switch arms being capable of operation through the medium of the. operating or controllever mountmove in unison, a housing for said base, and a control lever associated with said switch arms for swinging the said switch arms from the exterior of said housing.

2. A switch of the class described comprising an insulated base, a plurality of parallel switch arms pivotally mounted upon said base, contact clips arranged in spaced relation upon said base adapted to be engaged by the switch arms, an insulated connecting [5 bridge pivotally secured to said arms, a hous= mg mounted over sald insulated base and spacedtherefr-om, a control lever pivotally mounted upon said ho g, and means @011- necting said control lever to said'bridgeii'or swinging said switch arms as said control lever is swung. I

' 3. A switch of the class described compris-v ing an insulated base, a pair of parallel switch arms pivotally' connected intermediate their ends to said base, a plurality of series of clips arranged near the opposite edges of said base said arms adapted to be moved into selective engagement with said clips, an insulated bridge member pivotally connected to said arms and connecting said arms together, a

housing for said base, a control lever pivotally mounted upon said housing, said base provided with an arcslot, a pin secured to said control lever and engaging said bridge memher for swingingsaid arms as said control lever bridge member are swung, an indicating means placed upon the exterior of said housing for indicating the position of said switch arms when said control leveris swung.

testimony whereot I aifix my signature. GLENN G. LAWTON.

position of the contact switch arms 6 by observing the position of the control lever upon thebase of the housing 12. It should be further understood that I have provided a switch on very simple construction, which is economical to. manutacture, and whic has no parts which would be likely to burn out.

Thepresent device may be used as a reversing switch, and may be used to run two-motors alternately, or may be used as a range and water-heater switch without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It should be also understood that certain detail changes in the mechanical construction may be employed without departing from the spirit 0t theinvention so longas these changes fall. within thescope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is v 1. A switch of: theclass described comprising a base, contact clips carried upon saidba-se and electrically connected toa suitable source of electrical supply and distribution, a plurality ofswitch arms'pivotally mounted upon saidbase, means forconnecting said arms togather whereby said arms will be caused to. 

